Category: Justice

FIRST NOTICE of Public Hearings – April 29, 2019 at 9:00 AM and May 6, 2019 at 1:00 PM

Senator Terlaje believes an examination of whether sentencing laws, rehabilitation, and parole are protecting our community from repeat sex offenders in necessary. The meeting will take place on May 6th at 1 p.m.  Prior to the meeting, Senator Terlaje is soliciting additional recommendations and findings.  Additionally, Senator Terlaje is inquiring with the Attorney General if proper procedures were followed in the Mafnas case.

“As a mother of three daughters, I share the justifiable anger of the women and men in our community at the high number of criminal sexual offenses and especially those against children on Guam.  I am convinced that the incidences of repeat rapists warrants an urgent look by elected officials, the courts, and the entire criminal justice system at whether our current sentencing, imprisonment, rehabilitation, and release of sexual offenders is truly protecting our children and our community from repeat offenders.  There are obviously gaps that need to be closed immediately to prevent further harm.  We owe it to our children and to the survivors of these horrendous crimes to move heaven and earth to keep them safe.  As a lawyer and in my capacity as Chair of the Legislative Committee on Justice, I will begin with closing any gaps in our system that enable repeat offenders. We will ensure that laws that require victims to be heard and protected are enforced and that everyone is held accountable.  We must immediately incorporate updated mental health, medical, and other tools to stop sexual crimes,” states Senator Terlaje.

See the following news reports regarding the upcoming Roundtable Discussion:

https://pacificnewscenter.com/senator-therese-terlaje-to-review-parole-board-procedures-in-mafnas-case/

https://www.guampdn.com/story/news/local/2019/04/19/woman-raped-paul-mafnas-jr-furious-he-released/3504695002/

https://www.postguam.com/news/local/he-ruined-another-person-s-life/article_2edd6880-6006-11e9-ba3e-ff37a47ad0c8.html

TERLAJE: BILL EXPEDITES DISTRIBUTION OF WAR CLAIMS FOR AWARDEES WHO PASS AWAY WHILE WAITING FOR AWARDS

FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE (September 7, 2018 – Hagåtña) –Vice Speaker Therese M. Terlaje (D-Yoña) introduced a bill to streamline the distribution of war claims awards for survivor awardees who pass away before receiving their award. Bill No. 344-34 (COR) will ensure that the families or the heirs of eligible war survivors can obtain the recipient’s award expeditiously and at minimum cost. The bill would remove the requirement for a probate hearing, remove court costs and cap attorney fees at no more than $300.

The impetus for the bill was the news of the recent death of one of the war survivors from Merizo that Vice Speaker Therese Terlaje and her staff assisted in filing a war claims application.

“We have watched numerous members of this greatest generation pass on before seeing any compensation for the hardships that they experienced during the war. They deserve all of the help that we can offer them. Although we can’t help those that Congress already excluded, (war survivors who passed away before December 23, 2016) we can do our best for those who were allowed to submit a claim. It is my hope that this bill can shorten the wait and the costs for the families of any war claims applicants who die before receiving their war claims award,” stated Vice Speaker Terlaje.

NEWS Coverage: Senate Committee on the Judiciary Hearing on Senate Bill 197, also known as the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) Amendments Act of 2017

VIEW NEWS COVERAGE ON THE HEARING:

KUAM News:
Robert Celestial urges senators in DC to pass nuclear testing legislation
http://www.kuam.com/story/38527336/robert-celestial-urges-senators-in-dc-to-pass-nuclear-testing-legislation

Pacific News Center:
Radiation Survivors president testifies before Senate subcommittee
https://pacificnewscenter.com/radiation-survivors-president-testifies-before-senate-subcommittee/

Guam Daily Post:
US Senate Committee to hear Guam voice on radiation-related illness
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/us-senate-committee-to-hear-guam-voice-on-radiation-related/article_8c413fe4-79eb-11e8-a593-2bd27d1b39fb.html

Guam advocate for radiation-related illness compensation heard in US Senate
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/guam-advocate-for-radiation-related-illness-compensation-heard-in-us/article_1c9e843c-7a6b-11e8-a2d9-73c55c32f868.html

Pacific Daily News:
Bordallo supports bill aimed at veterans affected by nuclear radiation
https://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2018/06/28/nuclear-compensation-bill-receives-support-congresswoman/740639002/

Saipan Tribune:
PARS commends Celestial for testifying on behalf of the people of Guam
https://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/pars-commends-celestial-for-testifying-on-behalf-of-the-people-of-guam/

Marianas Variety:
US Senate panel to hear Guam’s inclusion in radiation exposure compensation program
http://www.mvariety.com/cnmi/cnmi-news/local/105237-us-senate-panel-to-hear-guam-s-inclusion-in-radiation-exposure-compensation-program

Kilili urges US to address downwind inequities
http://www.mvariety.com/cnmi/cnmi-news/local/105650-kilili-urges-us-to-address-downwind-inequities

Newstalk K57:
Senator Therese Terlaje and Robert Celestial with Patti Arroyo
https://k57.com/sen-terese-terlaje-and-robert-celestial-with-patti-arroyo/

Robert Celestial with Andrea Pellacani
https://k57.com/robert-celestial-with-andrea-pellacani/

Pacific Island Times:
US Sent Panel to Hear Radiation Compensation Bill
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/single-post/2018/06/14/US-Senate-panel-to-hear-radiation-compensation-bill

Guam Pushing for Radiation Exposure Compensation in Washington
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/single-post/2018/06/27/Guam-pushing-for-radiation-exposure-comp-in-Washington-DC

For more information, please call the Office of Vice Speaker Therese M. Terlaje at (671) 472-3586.

VICE SPEAKER TERLAJE CONGRATULATES PARS AND AFFIRMS INCLUSION IN RECA IS OVERDUE

FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE (June 28, 2018 – Hagåtña) –Vice Speaker Therese Terlaje commends the Pacific Association of Radiation Survivors and their president Robert Celestial for his historic testimony today in front of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on Senate Bill 197, also known as the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) Amendments Act of 2017, which would include Guam as one of the downwind areas.

“I congratulate Robert Celestial and the Pacific Association of Radiation Survivors and all of those who have helped them along the way, for their work and personal sacrifice in continuing to advocate for justice for Guam. These few work out of love for the benefit of many, many people on Guam who are suffering from cancer and other radiation related illness. I am very grateful, and am trying my best to ensure that we as leaders do all we can to support and continue this fight for justice, compassion, and health,” Vice Speaker Terlaje stated.

Vice Speaker Terlaje also submitted written testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee expressing her support for S. 197. According to the U.S. Census, the population of Guam between 1940 and 1960 ranged from 22,290 to 67,044 inhabitants. This is the number of people who were exposed to radiation as downwinders during the time of nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands. (Please see the attached written testimony from Vice Speaker Terlaje.)

“It’s an unsettling truth that our family members were exposed to radiation from U.S. nuclear testing, and suffer from cancer and other illnesses. The U.S. government provides free medical care and compassionate compensation to people from other jurisdictions that were exposed. Since the findings in 2005, Guam’s inclusion in RECA is overdue. Compassion, medical care, and justice for the people of Guam suffering from cancer is equally warranted,” Vice Speaker Terlaje stated.

Read Vice Speaker Terlaje’s written testimony here:
Terlaje RECA Senate Judiciary Written Testimony June 2018

Read Robert Celestial’s testimony here:
06-27-18 Celestial Testimony

VIEW NEWS COVERAGE ON THE HEARING:

KUAM News:
Robert Celestial urges senators in DC to pass nuclear testing legislation
http://www.kuam.com/story/38527336/robert-celestial-urges-senators-in-dc-to-pass-nuclear-testing-legislation

Pacific News Center:
Radiation Survivors president testifies before Senate subcommittee
https://pacificnewscenter.com/radiation-survivors-president-testifies-before-senate-subcommittee/

Guam Daily Post:
US Senate Committee to hear Guam voice on radiation-related illness
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/us-senate-committee-to-hear-guam-voice-on-radiation-related/article_8c413fe4-79eb-11e8-a593-2bd27d1b39fb.html

Guam advocate for radiation-related illness compensation heard in US Senate
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/guam-advocate-for-radiation-related-illness-compensation-heard-in-us/article_1c9e843c-7a6b-11e8-a2d9-73c55c32f868.html

Pacific Daily News:
Bordallo supports bill aimed at veterans affected by nuclear radiation
https://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2018/06/28/nuclear-compensation-bill-receives-support-congresswoman/740639002/

Saipan Tribune:
PARS commends Celestial for testifying on behalf of the people of Guam
https://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/pars-commends-celestial-for-testifying-on-behalf-of-the-people-of-guam/

Marianas Variety:
US Senate panel to hear Guam’s inclusion in radiation exposure compensation program
http://www.mvariety.com/cnmi/cnmi-news/local/105237-us-senate-panel-to-hear-guam-s-inclusion-in-radiation-exposure-compensation-program

Kilili urges US to address downwind inequities
http://www.mvariety.com/cnmi/cnmi-news/local/105650-kilili-urges-us-to-address-downwind-inequities

Newstalk K57:
Senator Therese Terlaje and Robert Celestial with Patti Arroyo
https://k57.com/sen-terese-terlaje-and-robert-celestial-with-patti-arroyo/

Robert Celestial with Andrea Pellacani
https://k57.com/robert-celestial-with-andrea-pellacani/

Pacific Island Times:
US Sent Panel to Hear Radiation Compensation Bill
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/single-post/2018/06/14/US-Senate-panel-to-hear-radiation-compensation-bill

Guam Pushing for Radiation Exposure Compensation in Washington
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/single-post/2018/06/27/Guam-pushing-for-radiation-exposure-comp-in-Washington-DC

For more information, please call the Office of Vice Speaker Therese M. Terlaje at (671) 472-3586.

GUAM TO MAKE ITS CASE IN WASHINGTON FOR RADIATION EXPOSURE COMPENSATION

FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE (June 27, 2018 – Hagåtña) – Panelists are set to examine the requirements for the Radiation Exposure Compensation Program in a hearing with the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary taking place at midnight, Guam time, tonight. Guam resident, longtime advocate, and president of the Pacific Association for Radiation Survivors (PARS), Robert Celestial will join other advocates from New Mexico, Arizona, and Idaho on a panel to discuss Senate Bill 197, also known as Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) Amendments of 2017. The Act would allow those who resided in Guam between 1946 and 1962 and who suffered from cancer or other listed radiation-related illnesses, to apply for compensation that would include free medical care and up to $150,000 from the remaining funds in the RECA Trust Fund. The panelists will each have 5 minutes to provide testimony and answer questions. Guam residents can watch the live broadcast of the hearing at 12 a.m. on June 28 at: https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/meetings/examining-the-eligibility- requirements-for-the-radiation-exposure-compensation-program-to-ensure-all-downwinders-receive- coverage.

Yesterday, Vice Speaker Therese Terlaje and Mr. Celestial met with staff members from the office of Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), the main sponsor of S.197 who will also be chairing the hearing. There will be 2 panels at the hearing, the first panel led by Senator Tom Udall (D-New Mexico) who sponsored a similar bill in previous terms. The second panel will include Mr. Celestial and other representatives.

Please see the statement from the Office of Senator Crapo at: https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/reca-downwinder-hearing-to-be-carried-live

Vice Speaker Terlaje and Mr. Celestial also met with Congressman Greg Walden (R-Oregon), Chairman of House Energy and Commerce Committee, to discuss HR 2049, which is the RECA bill in the House of Representatives. Unlike the Senate where the bill was referred to one committee, HR 2049 was referred to 3 committees in the House, including the Energy, Judiciary, and Education committees. Also unlike the RECA bill in the Senate, HR 2049 would give healthcare parity to atomic cleanup veterans such as Celestial, who helped cleanup Enewetak after the nuclear testing. According to Terlaje, Congressman Walden thanked her and Celestial for bringing the scientific findings and recommendations by the National Academies of Science that Guam should be included as downwinders in RECA to his attention and promised that he would look into it. The Congressman also thanked Celestial for his military service, and said, “Our country is not done paying for World War II”.

Today, Vice Speaker Terlaje will meet again with the main sponsor of HR 2049, Congressman Ben Ray Lujan’s (D-New Mexico) staff. After tomorrow’s hearing, Vice Speaker Terlaje and Mr. Celestial will meet with Senators and members of the House to discuss healthcare parity for atomic cleanup veterans, which was fully supported by the Guam Legislature Resolution No. 40-34.

For more information, please call the Office of Vice Speaker Therese M. Terlaje at (671) 472-3586.

JUSTICE FOR GUAM RESIDENTS EXPOSED TO RADIATION FINALLY ONE STEP CLOSER TO BEING ACHIEVED

FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE (June 13, 2018 – Hagåtña) – Another step forward was achieved by the Pacific Association for Radiation Survivors’ (PARS) fight for justice and assistance for those exposed to radiation on Guam during nuclear weapons testing conducted by the U.S. government in the Marshall Islands. The United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary will hold a hearing at 10:00 am on June 27, 2018 in Washington D.C. for S.B. 197, Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments (RECA) of 2017, which would allow those who resided in Guam between 1945 and 1962 and who suffered from cancer or other listed radiation-related illness, to apply for compensation that would include free medical care and up to $150,000 from the remaining funds in the RECA Trust Fund.

Robert N. Celestial, president of PARS and longtime advocate for the inclusion of Guam in RECA, has been invited by the U.S. Senate Committee to testify on behalf of the people of Guam. He will be travelling to Washington D.C. to provide his expert testimony and many years of research.

Vice Speaker Therese Terlaje will also be attending the hearing and following up on lobbying that she participated in last October 2017 in furtherance of Resolution No. 39-34 (COR), passed unanimously by the 34th Guam Legislature in April 2017, which petitioned the U.S. Congress to pass legislation that would compensate those suffering from cancer and health issues due to radiation exposure from nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific.

“Guam has been united in this effort for many, many years through the leadership of the Pacific Association of Radiation Survivors (PARS), Mr. Robert N. Celestial, the late Dr. Chris Perez, the late Senator Angel Santos, former Speakers Ben Pangelinan, Mark Forbes, Judith Won Pat, Speaker BJ Cruz, and many others. Justice is long overdue,” stated Vice Speaker Terlaje.

Terlaje further stated, “Free medical care and compassionate payments of $150,000 will certainly help cancer patients on Guam. Mr. Robert Celestial and the people of Guam have been working for years to educate lawmakers and ensure justice and financial redress for Guam, as has been given to other downwind populations who have endured the environmental and health impacts from radiation. A Senate hearing on whether to include Guam is an historic first. ”

“I want members of Congress to recognize that this is a very important issue that warrants justice for Guam’s people and that Guam’s leaders are in full support” stated Terlaje.

For more information, please call the Office of Vice Speaker Therese M. Terlaje at (671) 472-3586.

Resolutions to Support Vietnam Veteran Upgrades to Medal of Honor

FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE (June 5, 2018– Hagåtña)- The case files of six native sons, who are recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) Award for extreme acts of valor in combat during the Vietnam War, are amongst those being championed for an upgrade to the Medal of Honor.

In compliance with the National Defense Authorization Act of 2017, the Department of the Army is currently reviewing the case files of Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander War Veterans to determine if they were bypassed for the Medal of Honor due to racial, ethnic, religious or political biases.

CSM Martin A. Manglona, SGM Juan O. Blaz, Sergeant First Class Vicente T. Dydasco, Staff Sergeant Enrique Cruz, Staff Sergeant Tomas G. Reyes, and Specialist Fourth Class Joseph M. Perez are the six Vietnam Veterans, whose heroic acts in combat during the Vietnam War earned them the DSC Award.

In honor of their heroism and in support of the review effort, the 34th Guam Legislature will present commendatory legislative resolutions to the DSC Veterans and their families. The resolutions (Resolution Nos. 450-34 (COR) through 455-34 (COR)) were introduced by Vice Speaker Therese M. Terlaje, Senator Tom Ada, Senator Frank B. Aguon Jr., Senator Fernando Esteves, Senator Telena C. Nelson, Senator Joe S. San Agustin, and Senator Dennis G. Rodriguez Jr.

The presentation of resolutions will take place on June 11, 2018, 9:00 a.m. at the Guam Congress Building. The public is invited.

Retired Marine Colonel Joaquin Santos Jr., an advocate for the Medal of Honor upgrade of the six Chamorro veterans stated,”I am elated to know that Guam will finally recognize our heroes who shed their blood in the War in Vietnam. These six Chamorro men played a major role in the
accomplishment of their mission, and the Army awarded them the Distinguished Service Cross for their unselfish valorous and heroic acts above and beyond the call of duty.”

“The stories of these six courageous and sacrificing men are inspiring and should be recognized in our Guam archives. If they were bypassed unjustly then I hope that these efforts will help bring justice to them and their families,” stated Terlaje.

For more information, please call the Office of Vice Speaker Therese M. Terlaje at (671) 472-3586.

Vice Speaker Terlaje’s Statement on 6th Annual Programmatic Agreement Workshop

FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE (May 24, 2018– Hagåtña)-

Today, at the invitation of the State Historic Preservation Office, I attended the 6th Annual Guam Programmatic Agreement Workshop. The annual PA Workshop is a meeting closed to the general public that is hosted by the Department of Defense to discuss DOD’s compliance with the Guam Programmatic Agreement relative to historic properties affected by DOD Buildup projects, with PA signatories-various leaders from the DOD regional command, and the President’s Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.

Last year, I raised questions at the annual workshop as to unfulfilled promises in the PA relative to DOD buildup projects affecting historic properties, including a repository and a museum. DOD announced last month that the repository would be built at UOG pursuant to a grant.

At todays workshop, DOD announced that it was unable to deliver any funds for the promised museum complex, and that no federal agencies had additional congressional authority or discretionary funds to support construction of the Guam Museum.

I also reiterated concerns during the workshop that the avoidance of adverse impacts to historic sites is not being fully achieved and instead the “data recovery” which is the removal of a sampling of archaeologically relevant material, is the only option being utilized for several important historic sites. This includes the Northwest Field live fire training range location (adjacent to Ritidian/Litekyan), where over 100 historic sites have been discovered and 14 will not be protected.

Guam’s SHPO also raised objections relative to several military projects including, LFTRC (Live Fire Training Range, Northwest Field), Main Cantonment (Marine Base, Finegayan), Anderson South Training Complex, and Water Well Development (Anderson Air Force Base), invoking Stipulation XIII of the Programmatic Agreement, which requires parties 45 days to resolve objections.

I have sent a letter to the Governor detailing my concerns with the Programmatic Agreement, requesting that he address these concerns and halt clearing and construction, where historic properties and limestone forest habitat will be impacted.

Read Vice Speaker Terlaje’s Letter to the Governor:
Letter to Gov_PA Workshop and Issues